Pacquiao begins sparring, takes on unbeaten prospect

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao started sparring in General Santos Tuesday, trading leather with undefeated lightweight Lydell Rhodes for four rounds.

According to a report by veteran scribe Ronnie Nathanielsz, Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz described the Filipino’s first day of sparring at the Pacman Wild Card Gym as “a tremendous workout.”

In the same philboxing.com report, Koncz added that Pacquiao “looked good” against Rhodes, who sports a professional record of 19-0, with 9 knockouts.

Rhodes was reportedly a former fighter of Floyd Mayweather Sr., father of consensus pound-for-pound boxer Floyd Jr.

Pacquiao fired off his training as early as Monday, making good on his promise to work hard to avenge his loss to Timothy Bradley when they square off again on April 12 in Las Vegas.

The rematch will be for Bradley’s WBO welterweight title.